Follow these simple steps to create your delicious and healthy Zucchini Pizza Bites:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking. This is a crucial step for even cooking.
2. Prepare the Zucchini: Wash the zucchini thoroughly. Trim off the ends. Slice the zucchini into 1/4 to 1/3-inch thick rounds. Uniform thickness is key for even cooking, so try your best to keep them consistent.
3. Blot the Zucchini: Arrange the zucchini slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle them lightly with salt. Let them sit for about 10-15 minutes. This process, called “sweating,” helps draw out excess moisture, which is crucial for preventing soggy pizza bites. After 10-15 minutes, use paper towels to blot away the moisture beads that have formed on the surface of the zucchini slices. Be thorough here!
4. First Bake (Optional but Recommended for Crispier Bites): Lightly brush both sides of the blotted zucchini slices with olive oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Bake for 5-7 minutes per side, or until they are slightly tender and starting to lightly brown. This pre-baking step further helps in reducing moisture and gives a better texture. If you’re short on time, you can skip this, but the bites might be a tad softer.
5. Assemble the Pizza Bites: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. If you skipped the pre-baking, ensure your blotted zucchini slices are arranged on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Now, it’s time to build your mini pizzas!
   • Spoon a small amount (about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon) of marinara sauce onto each zucchini slice, spreading it evenly but leaving a tiny border.
   • Sprinkle a generous pinch of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce on each slice.
   • Top with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
   • Sprinkle the Italian seasoning over the cheese.
   • Finally, place 1-2 mini pepperoni slices (or your chosen topping) on top of each zucchini pizza bite.
6. Final Bake: Return the baking sheet to the oven. Bake for another 8-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden brown, and the zucchini is tender-crisp. Keep an eye on them to prevent the cheese from burning.
7. Broil (Optional for Extra Golden Cheese): For an extra golden and crispy cheese topping, you can switch the oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes. Watch very carefully during this step, as the cheese can go from perfectly golden to burnt very quickly under the broiler.
8. Cool and Serve: Once baked to perfection, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the Zucchini Pizza Bites cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a serving platter. They will be very hot! Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired, and serve warm.